MLB Player News

Faucher was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher was roughed up for six runs over two innings Saturday in Houston, and the outing will cost him his spot on the big-league roster. Erasmo Ramirez had his contract selected in a corresponding move.

The Twins reinstated Thielbar (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Thielbar will rejoin the Minnesota bullpen for the first time since early June after he recently completed a two-appearance rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul in which he struck out two over two scoreless innings. The left-hander was one of the Twins' top setup options in both of the previous two seasons, but he's been limited to just 10.1 innings at the big-league level in 2023 due to oblique injuries.

Sborz struck one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Padres.

Sborz pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance since being activated off the injured list Friday. The right-hander landed on the IL immediately prior to the All-Star break after giving up nine runs on nine hits (two home runs) and four walks over 3.1 innings. Sborz emerged as a late-inning asset during the month of June and should continue to serve in that role.

Lange tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Marlins. He struck out one.

It wasn't a save situation, but the Tigers still used Lange, who hadn't pitched since Tuesday. The righty has now logged five straight appearances without allowing an earned run. He had allowed five earned runs over his five prior games, so this recent stretch is a step in the right direction. Lange should remain locked in as Detroit's closer, especially if he can keep up his recent level of performance.

Brieske did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three hits over two scoreless innings against the Marlins while striking out two.

Brieske allowed a leadoff single to Luis Arraez to open the bottom of the first but managed to retire the next three batters, two by way of strikeout. The right-hander would come back out to pitch a scoreless second inning before being relieved by Joey Wentz to open the third. Brieske has not allowed a run in four of his six appearances this month and has issued just one walk over that six-game stretch while notching seven strikeouts.

Barlow gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 13th save of the season in a 10-7 win over the Twins.

The right-hander rebounded from his third blown save of the season in impressive fashion, fanning Alex Kirilloff and Jorge Polanco en route to his fourth save in July. Barlow's recent stumbles have left him with a 5.35 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB through 38.2 innings on the season, but his high-leverage experience could still make him an attractive target for a contender at the trade deadline.

Bradford will start Sunday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The left-hander allowed two runs over five frames in bulk relief Tuesday and will work as a traditional starter for Sunday's series finale in San Diego, with Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) missing a second straight turn through the rotation. Even with Eovaldi's availability up in the air for the near future, it'll likely just be a spot start for Bradford since the Rangers acquired Max Scherzer from the Mets on Saturday.

Pivetta could pitch behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Sunday's game against the Giants, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta delivered five scoreless frames of bulk relief Tuesday against Atlanta, lining him up to potentially take the mound for Sunday's series finale in San Francisco. Boston's full pitching plans haven't been confirmed, but the right-hander has been excellent out of the bullpen this season with a 1.98 ERA over 41 innings and is a decent bet to take the mound after Bernardino.

Bernardino will start Sunday's game against the Giants, Ian Browne of MLB.comreports.

Sunday's contest will feature a pair of openers, with Bernardino pitching for the Red Sox and Scott Alexander for the Giants. Bernardino has started four games this season but hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance, so he should cover only an inning or two before giving way to Boston's likely bulk reliever, Nick Pivetta.

Littell will start Sunday's game against the Astros, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

The right-hander hasn't pitched since he delivered two scoreless innings last Sunday against Baltimore, and he'll start Tampa Bay's bullpen day in Houston a week later. Littell has covered at least two frames in each of his past four outings, but he shouldn't be expected to last more than once through the order Sunday.